Curve continue hot streak

August 4, 2014

The record doesn't show it, but the Curve are in the midst of the best stretch of baseball they've played this season.

They're 50-66, but, since the All-Star break, they're 13-5 and are one of the hottest teams in the Eastern League.

On Sunday night, Altoona swept their third series of the season, beating the Ricmond Flying Squirrels, 6-3, before 5,025 fans at Peoples Natural Gas Field. It's their first sweep of anyone other than Harrisburg.

"We've been playing very good baseball, very fundamental," Curve manager Carlos Garcia said. "Defensively, we make some mistakes, but the pitching staff has been covering for us. We've been very good in the clutch, we've been very good executing the fundamental plays, and that put us in a good spot."

The Curve entered the All-Star break at 37-61 and in dead last in the Eastern League Western Division. There is, though, a lot to be gained from playing their final 26 contests.

"You never know what's going to happen in baseball," shortstop Gift Ngoepe said. "If you don't end up with the Pirates, maybe you end up with some other team that has been watching you on the side. There (are) many opportunities out there; it's just how you see the opportunity."

Fact Box

Next stop

Tonight: Idle

Tuesday: Altoona at Trenton, 7:05 p.m.

Record: 50-66

Covering the bases

LEADING OFF: RHP Angel Sanchez made his Curve debut, after the Pirates claimed him off waivers on Thursday. He pitched five solid innings, allowing two runs on six hits, walked two and struck out three.

SAFE AT FIRST: OF Willy Garcia's 13-game hitting streak came to an end with his 0-for-4 evening. His run ties Alen Hanson for the team's longest streak.

STEALING SECOND: Not only did the Curve sweep Richmond, they also scored 13 runs off three starters who are among the Giants top 10 prospects according to Baseball America. The Curve scored five off top prospect Kyle Crick, six on their number eight prospect Ty Blach, and two Sunday off Clayton Blackburn who is number 10.

ROUNDING THIRD: Today is the club's first off day of the month, before starting a six-game road trip to Trenton and Reading. They return home to face the Thunder for three games August 12-14.

HEADING HOME: Former Curve OF Mel Rojas Jr. smashed a walk off double in the 10th inning in Indianapolis' win over Toledo Saturday.

- Matt Michelone

Ngoepe, along with outfielder Keon Broxton, are two of the players who have been with the Curve throughout the year. For them, it's about finishing strong, no matter what the record is coming Labor Day.

"That's what we got to do regardless of what happens," Broxton said. "We've believed in ourselves, and stick with our approach, and stick with our plan, and it's worked out for us."

"We're all here to finish strong, and we've come together as a team," Ngoepe said. "We're taking walks, and the other guy gets the base hit, we've got a lot of confidence in one another."

That's been a major difference compared to where the Curve could've been. This year they've been as low as 25 games below .500, and in May were on pace to win just 50 games.

They were also on pace to break the franchise record for most games under .500, and in one season. Those records are 26 and 80, respectively, and each mark was set in 2009.

"I can see the light at the end of the tunnel," Garcia said. "Early a lot of struggles, a lot of learning, a lot of teaching points, and now you can see the boomerang is coming around.

Broxton feel that this is just a sign that the team is starting to understand what it takes to win games.

"It's starting to show that we are playing to our ability, and it's really fun," he said. "It's nice to be able to know that we're coming out here, and getting the job."

The Curve and Flying Squirrels traded runs through the third inning, but when Mario Lisson tied the game for Richmond, Broxton ended up flipping over the fence in left-center field.

He stayed in the game, going 1-for-3 with a run scored.

Ngoepe put the game away on a RBI double, scoring Alen Hanson to put the Curve ahead 4-3 at that point.

Jhonathan Ramos (3-5) went two innings, striking out two and walking one, before picking up the win.

Edwin Quirarte (9-5) took the loss after pitching one inning, giving up two runs on three hits, with a walk and strikeout.

Kenn Kasparek allowed just one hit and had two strikeouts, before earning his 10th save.

Game recap

Key player: SS Gift Ngoepe went 2-for-3 with a double and RBI.

Key play: Ngoepe's RBI-double in the seventh was the game-deciding run.

Key stat: The Curve scored 13 runs off of three of the San Francisco Giants top pitching prospects that started this series (Crick 5, Blach 6, Blackburn 2).

LEADING OFF: RHP Angel Sanchez made his Curve debut, after the Pirates claimed him off waivers on Thursday. He pitched five solid innings, allowing two runs on six hits, walked two and struck out three.

SAFE AT FIRST: OF Willy Garcia's 13-game hitting streak came to an end with his 0-for-4 evening. His run ties Alen Hanson for the team's longest streak.

STEALING SECOND: Not only did the Curve sweep Richmond, they also scored 13 runs off three starters who are among the Giants top 10 prospects according to Baseball America. The Curve scored five off top prospect Kyle Crick, six on their number eight prospect Ty Blach, and two Sunday off Clayton Blackburn who is number 10.

ROUNDING THIRD: Today is the club's first off day of the month, before starting a six-game road trip to Trenton and Reading. They return home to face the Thunder for three games August 12-14.

HEADING HOME: Former Curve OF Mel Rojas Jr. smashed a walk off double in the 10th inning in Indianapolis' win over Toledo Saturday.